THEATERWORK heads into its 14th SEASON in New Mexico by presenting an extraordinary new comedy/drama that places the strands of time in a spin; a celebration of the work of a startling poet; a profound examination of the struggle within an individual conscience; and a spooky comedy that turns a kitchen drama on its head and sets it twirling in the bargain.

This year will also bring opportunities for the writing of new plays; the thoughtful public reading of several new works by New Mexico playwrights; workshops and residencies in communities; conversations with guest writers; and work with young theater-makers.

All of that? Yes. Why not?

Theaters set out to explore, re-define, motivate, challenge. They are meant to work at sustaining and strengthening the basic human rights to a name, a place, a story, a song. Join us in the attempt! What’s there to lose?

The first thirteen years in New Mexico saw eighty-six productions, including plays by Chekhov, Ibsen, Schiller, Hugo, Moliere, Gogol, Miller, Wilde, Inge, Friel, Marquez, Cruz, Fuentes, Zacarias, Claudel, Duras, Lewis Carroll, Brecht; operas by Poulenc, Stravinsky, Humperdinck; three zarzuelas; many new works by New Mexico playwrights; and pieces based on stories gathered from within communities.

THEATERWORK is a year-round alternative theater company with deep roots in the international community from its beginnings as Teatro Laboratorio de Bogota in 1970, through its landmark work in Minnesota, and now in the Southwest. It is the permanent artistic home to many theater workers.

Mission Statement

THEATERWORK opens its doors ready for action! That readiness comes from asking essential questions: How does a theater work to embody the visions of its founders, its artists, its audience? How does it build up a living dialogue with its community and place? How do artistic and human values find tangible expression in every aspect of the work? How does it find ways to remain impassioned, intense, inspiring? No small questions – these are questions that light fires under other questions.

THEATERWORK is a place of character – oh, not limited to slipping on costumes, memorizing lines and moving around on stage – that’s part of it. It has to do with what all the participants - actors, directors, designers, technicians, managers, audience - bring to the work. They bring themselves. All are invited to develop, to get strong, to engage, to grab onto truthfulness and boldly bring that to all levels of the dramatic event. That’s where the excitement, the joy, the enthusiasm that can erupt around a theater comes from. Don’t you agree?

THEATERWORK is an alternative theater company with deep roots in the international theater community from its beginnings as Teatro Laboratorio de Bogotá in 1970, through its landmark work in Minnesota, and now in New Mexico. It is the artistic home to many extraordinary theater workers and forms part of the cultural life of New Mexico. Wherever we perform, the goals remain the same - wonderful stories, excellent performances, beautiful productions, great ideas! A big order for a small company? Sure. Why not?

THEATERWORK - builds character!